Durban, Apr 15 (PTI) -- South Africa's ruling ANC today called on President Thabo Mbeki to change his "no crisis" stance on neighbouring Zimbabwe and be "neutral".

"Mbeki needs to be neutral. The fact that the Zimbabwe Election Commission has not released the presidential results nearly three weeks after the elections on March 29 is a crisis. No one can deny this", Gwede Mantashe, ANC Secretary General said.

JOHANNESBURG, April 16 (Reuters) - South African President Thabo Mbeki's refusal to take a tougher line on neighbouring Zimbabwe has further damaged his credibility and handed rival Jacob Zuma another opening to improve his image.

Regional leaders last year mandated Mbeki to lead mediation between President Robert Mugabe and the opposition but his insistence on "quiet diplomacy" failed to make headway.

* Britain to take lead, joined by France and US

* Situation is dire for Africa, President told

VOA English Service

DATELINE: Washington, D.C.

The ongoing political crisis in Zimbabwe is reportedly causing ripples in neighboring South Africa. This comes after South African President Thabo Mbeki sharply differed with chairman of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) Jacob Zuma over the crisis in Zimbabwe. Mbeki said there was no crisis in Zimbabwe because of the elections controversy.

NEW YORK: President Thabo Mbeki yesterday dismissed suggestions he is blind to the gravity of the situation in Zimbabwe and insisted that talking with all parties was the only solution.

“We need to talk at all times with the ruling party and the opposition,” Mbeki said after chairing a summit of the UN Security Council and the African Union.

JOHANNESBURG, April 18, 2008 (AFP) -

Carlos Alberto Parreira is set to resign as coach of 2010 World Cup hosts South Africa, Brazilian press reported on Friday, and help his wife recover from major surgery.

One of South Africa's largest unions has refused to unload a consignment of arms destined for Zimbabwe from a Chinese ship intensifying a row over the government's policy towards its troubled northern neighbour.

The South African Transport and Allied Workers' Union said it would not handle the four cases of arms, which include about 3m rounds for AK-47 assault rifles, lest they be used by President Robert Mugabe in a clampdown on his political opponents.

SEAN Davies is just what the State Government is looking for -- a highly educated South African whose skills are in demand.

Computer machinist Mr Davies, 35, now with Muir Engineering, came to Tasmania four weeks ago on a 457 visa.

He is one of many skilled South African workers being targeted by the Government to help address the state's skills shortage.